Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-18

miillon DoxcS. ~ comes from England
and Wales. One OF the effects OF the
rise in pig-tin was the recent failure OF
the Glyn works in Wales. The
proprietors had cold tin-plate for future
delivery and the big advance in the
block-tin compelled them TO fill their
contracts at loss, which ruined them.
Already the Britannia manufacturers OF
this country have lost very heavily.
Some time ago they took large orders
for the holiday trade, and they have
been obliged TO pay the sharp advance
In pig-tin and execute their orders of q
serious loss. The manufacturers OF sol
der have also felt the pinch OF the tight
boot of tho speculative inquisition, as
also have the manufacturers OF Rabbit
metal, which is used extensively in ma
chinery and in axle and car-bearings on
railroads.
AN OCTOPUS.
The French syndicate, like an enormous
octopus, has stretched its wide-reachiDg
tentacles and grasped lead, zinc, anti
mony, and even it IS said quicksilver.
Putting up the price OF lead affects the
manufacturer of shot, type metal,
| pewter. Britannia metal, and paints.
Considerable lead is produced in Illinois
and Missouri, and Spain furnishes large
supply. An advance in zinc affects the
brass manufacture and rise in anthony
tends to raise the cost OF type metal,
Britannia pewter, and bells, which be-
comes stronger and more musical with
/ the alloy of anthony. The recent
marked advance in quicksilver may be
due solely to the manipulations by the
Rothschilds, who own or control all the
| Spanish Understanding the famous
Almeda, which was worked 900 years
before the opening of the Christian
era-but it is attributed largely to the
schemes of the French clique. Il is
used extensively in smelling gold and
silver ores, i'll manufacturing mirrors,
scientific instruments, in dentistry, in
mercurials in medical practice, and in
the making of vermilion paint. Surely
the year 1887 has been year of specu-
lative booms, among which the metal
boom is by no means the least.
NOVELTIES FOR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS.
The great shops and bazaars of New
York are now busy night and day with
the holiday trade. There is a perfect
boom in lanterns for Christmas presents.
Those that l admired most were of
bronze and held inside fairy lamp.
The effect of lantern is enhanced if it
hangs from an iron or bronze "lantern
ARM" as they are called, which are Sc
curely fastened to the wall. Another very
pretty and novel article for present is
tall wrought-iron stand, upon which
rests copper oil-lamp. Over the lamp,
suspended by an iron chain or arm, hangs
copper tea-kettle. These are used
by ladies who themselves serve the tea
to their guests on their "afternoons at
home. There is q craze for iron in
every form for decoration; the tall iron
lamps are now considered in better taste
than the brass ones. Very handsome
wrought-iron wood-boxes come that re-
mind one of the famous iron chest of
Sir Edward Mortimer It's these things
that help to make up the individuality
of a home. | cannot help contrast
ing the stiff-looking parlors of my
girlhood with the pleasant drawing rooms
of to-day. The former were usually
furnished with red or gold-some-
times both-brocatelle every piece of
furniture covered exactly alike, and all
set squarely against the wall, with huge
carved table in the centre of the room.
The window draperies were looped up
stlffiy with cords and tassels, and the
part of the drapery that touched the
floor was laid out upon the carpet in
stiff folds. No one dare go to the win
dow for fear of disarranging some Of
these wonderful folds. a similar
lambrequin ornamented the mau-
telpiece, and heavy gilt cornices
ran over the top OF pier glass
and curtains Parlors were seldom
used, and I, for one child, was
glad they We're not used any oftener,
they were always so depressing. How
different is the studied disorder of to-
day We have gone back to the colonial
days, and all that was good then we have
allied with modern invention. The
hearth blazes with bright andirons and a
cheerful fire. The rugs look warm and
luxurious, the chairs and tables are at
right angles, sofas are drawn up in front
of the fire, and to take cup of tea at a
three-cornered table in such a room,
with good company, is positively fascl-
mating.
THERMOMETERS.
Thermometers are all the rage, and
range all the way from twenty-five cents
to several hundred dollars. That seems
large price to pay for thermometer.
doesn't 1t &? The man in the store showed
me one the cost of which was $500. He
had sold one Just like it for wedding
present. 1t was the entire tusk OF an
elephant--a large one, too. 1t was
beautifully carved and polished A slice
of the ivory was cut off to make flat
foundation on which TO place the mercu-
rial tube. The figures to indicate the de-
gree of heat were of silver set down into
the ivory. The tusk was further ornament
ed by a silver ring by which 1t was to be
hung ND. Gold bronze thermometers IN
the form of sword. and as large as a re-
gular sword, are novelty. The hilts are
of the finest cloisOnne enamel. Ali the
new designs are very large. 4 gilt
truncheon with vine in cloisonne is a
yerv beautiful and expensive design.
Another like the pendulum OF clock, as
long as an ordinary walking-stick, is OF
silver the bell at the end of the pendu-
lum is tiny lantern of silver with col
ored glass sides. In this is placed tiny
candle at night, and the effect is very
pretty.
Our National Affairs.
RICHMOND, VA, Dec. 13, 1887.
To The Editor of the Dispatch: